Julian Alaphilippe Prepares to Race in Paris Olympics Road Event

Julian Alaphilippe is set to compete in the Paris Olympics road race, fresh from stage victories in Slovakia and Czechia.

What's at Stake for Julian Alaphilippe?

Alaphilippe doesn't consider himself a favourite, but he's confident in his abilities to perform well. He's had a strong preparation for the Olympics, with a good winter under his belt, according to his cousin and coach Franck Alaphilippe.

Recent Performances

Alaphilippe's stage victory at the Giro in May was a turning point, and he's been building momentum since then. He won his second consecutive world title in Leuven in 2021, but struggled with a heavy crash at Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2022.

Olympic Goals

The Paris Olympics are a key objective for Alaphilippe, who opted not to race in the Tokyo Olympics due to the birth of his son. He's been preparing for this moment for a while and is determined to give his best for the French team. Alaphilippe came close to a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, placing fourth after crashing on the notorious descent of Vista Chinesa.

Team Dynamics

Alaphilippe will lead the French team, which includes Christophe Laporte, Kévin Vauquelin, and Valentin Madouas. He's been following the progress of other French athletes at the Olympics, including Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who won gold in the mountain bike event. Alaphilippe's French teammates are all focused on the road race, with Thomas Voeckler as their manager.